The New York Knicks are not just heating up on the court — they are also becoming the hottest and most expensive ticket in basketball.
As the franchise chases its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, ticket prices for the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden have exploded, creating one of the most expensive playoff atmospheres in recent NBA history.
According to secondary market listings, the cheapest seats for Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers started at around $570 before fees, despite being located in the upper corners of the arena. More centrally positioned upper-level seats surpassed $700, while premium lower-bowl and courtside experiences climbed beyond $13,000.
The dramatic surge has made Knicks tickets significantly more expensive than those for the other three remaining conference finalists. In Cleveland, entry-level tickets for the East Finals were listed around $294, while Western Conference Finals games between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs could still be found for as low as $177 in Oklahoma City and roughly $311 in San Antonio.
Potential elimination games are driving prices even higher. If the Knicks host a decisive Game 7, the cheapest available seats are already listed above $1,100, with courtside options reaching five-figure territory.
New York Mayor Criticizes Rising Costs
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly criticized the growing commercialization of live sports, arguing that ordinary fans are increasingly being priced out of the city’s biggest moments.
“We have seen sports become more and more of a luxury commodity,” Mamdani said. “When the Knicks do well, you feel it across the whole city — and it shouldn’t only belong to those who can afford to attend.”
Earlier this year, Mamdani partnered with Gotham FC to offer 1,000 tickets priced at just $5 in an effort to make professional sports more accessible.
From $79 to $815: The Cost of Knicks Basketball
The contrast with the Knicks’ last NBA Finals run in 1999 is striking. At the time, the average Knicks season ticket cost approximately $79 per game. In 2026, that figure has reportedly climbed to $815 per game.
Courtside seats during the 1999 NBA Finals in New York were priced around $2,700, while comparable seats in San Antonio sold for just $500. The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won that series in five games.
Now, with the Knicks riding a seven-game winning streak and the city dreaming of a championship, demand has transformed Madison Square Garden into the most expensive stage in basketball.